Text for Page 041 [03-26-1855]

watch and clockmaker at Lewes; one of that class of stable, quiet
worthy young Englishman, thoroughly good and unpretending.
27. Tuesday. To the Sydenham Palace with Tanner and Charley,
where we had a very pleasant day, returning to steaks and a cosy evening
with cigar accompaniment, at home, in the little front parlor.
28. Wednesday. A hopelessly wet day, but out with Tanner, as
arranged. With Charley together in Hatton Garden, as once before, I
to order signet ring &c, he chain. Then I & Tanner by omnibus west-
wards, he getting out at Regent Street, I at Kensington Church. At
Vassal Terrace, I�m shown into a dull front parlor, looking out on the drip
ping trees and slanting rain, the fire is lit, and smokes considerably, and
presently Mrs Waud appears, and tells me that William, having to at-
tend at a meeting of Delamotte�s creditors, wouldn�t be in till 4.
It was 1 � then. I was going at once, (not a little irate, at his not
letting me know by letter, as I�d only come at his express invitation,)
but Mrs W being very earnest for me to stop, telling me her husband
was coming home to an early tea, purposely to meet me, I stayed. The
fire rough dried me, cold dinner was sent up, and subsequently Mrs
W held me company, also her sister, (Alf�s �Aunt Nanny,�) and presently
Miss Mary Priscilla Waud. Will arrived by 4 1/2 and then his father,
a little man, with a grave sharp face, and iron-grey hair, elaborately
civil in his address to me. We had tea, and sat conversing, and
for some hours later were in the upper rooms, to music. I don�t
like this family. There�s an unpleasantly dominant wilfulness
manifest in all of its members, prompting them to little outbursts of
ill-temper, before visitors. They are prone to administering what I�ve
heard Alf call �Choke-pears� to one another. There appears to be no